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Je ne chant pas/Talens m'est pris/APTATUR/OMNES

Recording details: March 1990
Church of the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester, United Kingdom
Produced by Martin Compton
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: September 1990
Total duration: 2 minutes 19 seconds

Reviews

'A wonderful collection. Lusciously sung sensuous music … a remarkable addition to the distinguished series of records from Gothic Voices' (Gramophone)

'Gothic Voices at its most imaginative. The group's choice of repertory is sublime and the freedom of its interpretation is bracing. Recommended' (BBC Music Magazine)

Introduction

This four-part piece reminds us that there is no such thing as a typical motet. The contrast between the chattering Triplum and the slower-moving Motetus is a text-book feature of the motet genre, as are the overlapping phrases, yet here they are combined with two Tenors! This piece also shows how the speed of the Tenor relative to the upper parts affects the impetus and indeed the entire character of a motet, for here the Tenors move rapidly, constantly repeating the same six measures of music, giving the piece a considerable thrust. The four-part motets of the thirteenth century have often been regarded as imperfect, over-ambitious works; this recording, which features a high proportion of such pieces, is an attempt to rehabilitate the four-part motet.

Recording details: March 1990
Church of the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester, United Kingdom
Produced by Martin Compton
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: September 1990
Total duration: 2 minutes 19 seconds